Letters from Correspondents
Definitions:
Quarto (symbol: 4to): (Noun) a size of book page resulting from folding each printed sheet into four leaves (eight pages).
Azure: (Adjective) bright blue in color like a cloudless sky.
Penchant: (Noun) a strong or habitual liking for something or tendency to do something.
References:
“Tales of the Glauber Spa”: A book by William Cullen Bryant (1794-1878) and published in 1832.
Childe Roeliff: Reference to “Childe Roeliff’s Pilgrimage: A Travelling Legend” by James Kirke Paulding (1778-1860).
Mr. Paudling: James Kirke Paulding was an American writer and, for a time, the United States Secretary of the Navy. Paulding’s early writings were satirical and violently anti-British, as shown in The Diverting History of John Bull and Brother Jonathan. He wrote numerous long poems and serious histories.
Mr. Leggett: William Leggett (April 30, 1801 – May 29, 1839) was an American poet, fiction writer, and journalist.
Mr. Cooper: James Fenimore Cooper (September 15, 1789 – September 14, 1851) was an American writer of the first half of the 19th century. His historical romances depicting colonist and Indigenous characters from the 17th to the 19th centuries created a unique form of American literature.
Mr. Bryant: William Cullen Bryant (November 3, 1794 – June 12, 1878) was an American romantic poet, journalist, and long-time editor of the New York Evening Post. Born in Massachusetts, he started his career as a lawyer but showed an interest in poetry early in his life. He soon relocated to New York and took up work as an editor at various newspapers.
Miss Sedgwick: Catharine Maria Sedgwick (December 28, 1789 – July 31, 1867) was an American novelist of what is sometimes referred to as “domestic fiction”. With her work much in demand, from the 1820s to the 1850s, Sedgwick made a good living writing short stories for a variety of periodicals. She became one of the most notable female novelists of her time. She wrote work in American settings, and combined patriotism with protests against historic Puritan (English protestants) oppressiveness.
Le Bossu: Written by Sedgwick and part of the collection of tales by several well-known authors published by the Brothers Harper. Collection also included Bryant’s Tales of the Glauber Spa.
Notes:
- I have been a subscriber to the Mirror for more than nine years; and, what is rather remarkable, during all that time, not a single number has ever failed to come punctually to hand
Praise for the punctuality of the New York Mirror demonstrating how there have been no complaints. Is the punctually pointing to its prestige?
- It has become quite a matter of necessity with me.
The reliance on the weekly text to get information and entertainment
- “They are originals, pa. They are people about town. I know who Mr. Paulding means as well as he does himself. It’s strange I can’t recollect just now”
There is a deep engagement with the stories published in the magazine. There writings clearly draw on the convention of telling stories that seem like they are true and real
- She quotes the “Main-Truck” in support of her opinions
The connection between the different texts of the time and how this reference would be understood is important when considering the context of the piece.
- Medfield and the Skeleton’s Cave
Both names of places, however cannot what they exactly refer to here. Perhaps popular stories of the time?
- If therefore, gentlemen, I may judge of these sketches from the impression of the entire work has made in my family, and upon various tastes of its members, it will suit every body– and this, I take it, is a most uncommon merit now-a-days, when so much foreign trash is republished (and sold too!) here, that pleases nobody.
This is a criticism of the other written works at the time that are similar to the New York Mirror, they are mocking the other works in support of this body of work.
Specifically critiquing work that comes from oversees (likely in reference to the United Kingdom and France). Shows how people in the United States were moving away from European publications and ideas and embracing American ones more.
- that although not a literary man, I nevertheless feel proud, whenever a good production, of domestic origin, makes its appearance; and most happy that so much real talent exists amongst us.
Again commenting specifically on the fact that the New York Mirror publishes American authors (all the ones mentioned above are American authors). Acts as a kind of validation of American excellence and move away from reliance and control from Europe.
- Very respectfully, your obedient servant, D.H.
An interesting way to sign the document off, especially how they start the essay with how they are expectantly waiting for the New York Mirror — It is a reflection on the importance of a text at the time and what it meant to typical readers. In acts as their social media. This also shows how deeply it affects readers and how much control the magazine has over their social lives.